Woods 'honored' by Presidents Cup pick

31 August 2011 05:30

Former world number one Tiger Woods said Wednesday he's "honored" to be a captain's selection for the Presidents Cup.

Woods, speaking at a charity event hosted by his former college teammate and US PGA Tour colleague Notah Begay, nodded yes when asked if he thought his selection by US captain Fred Couples was merited.

"I haven't played," acknowledged Woods, who has played just eight USPGA Tour events this year thanks to injuries to his left knee and Achilles tendon.

"Fred iterated that he wanted me on the Presidents Cup team and he wanted me to play. He's the captain. It's his prerogative of who he picks.

"They wanted me on the team and I'm honored to be a part of the team. It's a wonderful mix of younger guys and older veterans. I also wanted to play and go ahead and test what I've been working on."

After hurting himself at the Masters, he missed both the US Open and British Open, then failed to make the cut at the PGA Championship this month.

When he has played, Woods has been far from the dominant player who has captured 14 major titles. He failed to qualify for the USPGA Tour's FedEx Cup playoffs.

Couples said he wanted Woods to play more before the Australian Open, which is a week before the Presidents Cup match-play event between the United States and an International team starts in Melbourne.

Woods has duly added the Frys.com Open in California, in the first week of October, to his schedule.

It will mark Woods' first appearance in a tournament that is part of the USPGA Tour's post-playoffs "Fall Series" of tournaments.

Woods said his most recent injuries disrupted the progress he was making in implementing swing changes under the guidance of coach Sean Foley.

"I've been hurt the majority of the year and haven't quite gotten to be able to (get) the reps that I need," Woods said.

"We were right on track at Augusta, but unfortunately I got hurt there and then it was a huge setback. We're just trying to get back to where I was at Augusta, and it's coming around. I just need more reps."